History

In Memoriam

David Levering David Levering and Bill Evans

The Department mourned the passing of Emeritus Professor David Levering (second from right) July 11, 2021. Dr. Levering came to Cal Poly Pomona in the early 1960s, and was one of the founding members of the Cal Poly Pomona History Department (as a separate department from the general Social Sciences). He helped engineer one of the earliest collegiate transitions (at CPP) from teaching "Western" history to "World" history. He was an active scholar and beloved teacher, known affectionately as the "Rev Lev." For a more extensive remembrance of Dr. Levering, see the obituary that appeared in Polycentric on July 16, 2021.

 

 

Jerry Voorhis

The Department noted with sadness the passing of Jerry L. Voorhis in December 2018. Dr. Voorhis was a professor of History at Cal Poly Pomona for 10 years, between 1965 and 1975. His wide knowledge and infectious sense of humor are missed by all who knew him.
 

Bill Evans

The History Department was saddened to share the news that Bill Evans (pictured at far right in the photo at the top of the page), who taught Civil War and Reconstruction at Cal Poly Pomona for many years, passed away on October 1, 2017, at the age of 94. Dr. Evans, who began his career at Cal Poly Pomona in 1968, was a wonderful teacher, a nationally renowned scholar of Reconstruction, and a passionate advocate for racial justice. Those who knew him miss him dearly.  

 

Werner Marti

Werner Marti, a longtime professor of American history and the first chairman of the official Cal Poly Pomona History Department, passed away October 24, 2013, in Upland, California. Despite losing his eyesight in his late teens, Marti graduated earned a B.A. from UCLA in 1943; with the indispensable aid of his wife Pat, whom he married in 1944, Marti became the first blind Ph.D. student to graduate from UCLA when he earned his doctorate in 1953. a Ph.D. in History at UCLA in 1953 (and was the first blind Ph.D student to graduate from that institution). He taught at Cal Poly Pomona from 1956 until 1977, and was the first chair of the History Department when it was created in 1968. His colleagues remember his incredible generosity and kindness.